Marks was born in 1920 in Hull, East Yorkshire to Leeds born Louis and Miriam nee Shrenski. Louis and Miriam married in Leeds in 1913 and they had three sons, Myer, Gerald and Marks. Louis was a tailor and Myer worked as a compositor and both Gerald and Marks were electricians.

Marks changed his name to Mark when he enlisted in Penarth at the end of 1941 and joined as ground crew. Mark married Zena Bransky in Leeds in 1941 and their daughter Maureen was born in 1943.

Mark was a passenger on Liberator JT985 which departed RAF Holmsley South on transit to Palam in India. The aircraft was due to be refuelled at RAF Castel Benito, near Tripoli in North Africa. The aircraft was under the command of Flt Lt Saxon Cole RCAF with co pilot Flying Officer Donald Twaddle RCAF, navigator Joseph Todd RCAF, radio operator George McPherson RCAF and flight engineer Sgt George Wyke RAF. The passengers were 22 airmen being sent out as urgently needed groundcrew at Palam. The weather at Holmsley South was poor but it was decided to take off. At 07.45 hours the aircraft reported a loss of fuel pressure and that the crew were turning back to carry out a precautionary landing. The aircraft was witnessed flying below the height of the hills and crashing. There were no survivors. Witnesses saw the remains of 27 bodies and many personal items including a DFC. It is thought that the medal was being taken to India for presentation.

This was Dorset’s worst ever air crash.